Smoothing system for hair and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A method for smoothing and straightening human hair includes cleansing the hair, drying the hair a first time, applying a smoothing fluid to the hair, drying the hair a second time, applying a smoothing cream to the hair, ironing the hair, rinsing the hair, hydrating the hair, and maintaining the hair. The method also includes applying the smoothing fluid to the hair with a foaming applicator that is capable of converting the smoothing fluid to a smoothing foam.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/761,965, filed Feb. 7, 2013, and PCT/U.S. 2014/015210 both entitled SMOOTHING SYSTEM FOR HAIR AND METHOD OF USING SAME.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates in general to a system for smoothing human hair and a method for using the same. Specifically, this application relates to a system for smoothing and straightening human hair using a foaming applicator to apply a semi-permanent straightening and anti-frizz chemical treatment.

BACKGROUND

Smoothing and straightening treatments, specifically keratin smoothing treatments, are generally applied to human hair by professional stylists. Professional stylists typically apply the keratin treatments to the hair with a bowl and brush, much like other treatments, such as colorants. The bowl and brush method, however is difficult to apply evenly and is often time consuming.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method for smoothing and straightening human hair includes cleansing the hair, drying the hair a first time, applying a smoothing fluid to the hair, drying the hair a second time, applying a smoothing cream to the hair, ironing the hair, rinsing the hair, hydrating the hair, and maintaining the hair. The method also includes applying the smoothing fluid to the hair with a foaming applicator that is capable of converting the smoothing fluid to a smoothing foam.

In one embodiment, the smoothing fluid may have a pH of between about 1.2 and 2.0, a dry content of about 21.50 to about 25.50 percent, a density from about 1.090 to about 1.105 g/cc, and a glioxilic acid assay value of from about 17.00 to about 18.50 percent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example systems, methods, and so on, that illustrate various example embodiments of aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. An element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of a system for smoothing hair.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a foaming applicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a method for smoothing and straightening human hair includes the steps of cleansing the hair 10, drying the hair a first time 12, applying a smoothing fluid 14, drying the hair a second time 16, applying a smoothing cream 18, ironing the hair 20, rinsing the hair 22, hydrating the hair 24, and maintaining the hair 26.

The first step in the method for smoothing and straightening human hair includes cleaning the hair 10. In one embodiment, the hair is washed at least two times with a professional quality chelating shampoo in order to remove all impurities from the hair. In one embodiment, Kenra Professional Smoothing Chelating Shampoo, available from Kenra Professional, may be used. Other suitable shampoos may be used, such as those available from Alfaparf Milano. After the hair has been washed at least two times, the hair is completely dried 12.

Once completed dried 12, the hair is divided into from four to six sections, depending on the length and density of the hair. Once the hair has been divided into sections, the smoothing fluid is added to a foaming applicator 28, such as the applicator shown in FIG. 2, and the foaming applicator 28 is closed tightly. When processed through the foaming applicator 28, the smoothing fluid is converted to a smoothing foam, which is more evenly and easily applied to the sections of hair.

In order for the smoothing fluid to be dispensed from the foaming applicator 28, it may need to be altered. For example, the smoothing fluid may have a pH of between about 1.2 and 2.0; a dry content of about 21.50 to about 25.50 percent; a density from about 1.090 to about 1.105 g/cc and a glioxilic acid assay value of from about 17.00 to about 18.50 percent. When dispensed from the foaming applicator 28, the smoothing fluid will generally have a mousse foam consistency. In one embodiment, Kenra Smoothing Fluid, available from Kenra Professional, may be used, however any semi-permanent chemical treatment, such as the keratin smoothing fluid available from Alfaparf Milano, may be used.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the smoothing foam is applied to the hair in the curliest area first in quarter inch sections and is combed through the hair until the hair is lightly and evenly saturated. This process is repeated throughout each section of hair. In one embodiment, about 30 grams of smoothing fluid may be applied to short hair, 40 grams for medium length hair, and 50 grams for long hair. Additional fluid, about 5 grams, may be used, depending on the density of the hair. After applied, the smoothing foam is left on the hair for up to 20 minutes at room temperature. No heat is generally applied to the head during this processing period. After about 20 minutes, the hair is completely dried a second time 16.

After the hair has been completely dried a second time 16, a calming or smoothing crème, such as those available from Kenra Professional, is applied to the hair 18. Once applied throughout the hair, the calming crème is combed completely throughout the hair. Once the calming crème is applied and combed throughout the hair, the hair is ironed 20 to achieve a smooth and straight appearance. In one embodiment, the hair is ironed, starting in the back in about half inch sections with a flat iron that is heated to about 400° F. For fine, thin hair the flat iron may need to be passed through the half inch section of hair about 6 to 8 times, for normal to medium hair about 8 to 10 times and for thick hair about 13 to 15 times. Once all of the hair has been ironed, the hair is rinsed thoroughly 22.

Once the hair has been rinsed 22, the hair may be hydrated 24. In one embodiment, in order to hydrate uncolored or nature hair, a hydrating treatment, such as Kenra Smoothing Hydrating Mask, available from Kenra Professional, maybe applied to the damp hair and allowed to remain on the hair for about five minutes. After about five minutes, the hair is rinsed. For color treated hair, the hydration treatment may be applied to the hair along with a color refresh treatment. In one embodiment, one ounce of permanent color may be combined with two ounces of 9V activator and one ounce of the hydrating treatment, such as Kenra's Smoothing Hydrating Mask. The combination may be applied to clean, towel dried hair and processed. After processing, the hair may be washed with a professional quality shampoo and conditioner.

Finally, after the method is complete, the treated has should be maintained 26 by washing with a professional quality shampoo and conditioner, such as those available in the

Kenra Professional Smoothing Service line of products. The hair may also be maintained by continuing to apply hydrating treatments and smoothing oils.

While example methods and compositions have been illustrated by describing examples, and while the examples have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, devices, and so on, described herein. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific details, the representative revascularization catheter systems, and illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, the preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A method for smoothing and straightening human hair, comprising: cleansing the hair a first time and drying the hair a first time; applying a smoothing fluid to the hair, wherein the smoothing fluid is applied to the hair with a foaming applicator; drying the hair a second time; applying a smoothing cream to the hair; ironing the hair; and rinsing the hair.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the smoothing fluid is converted to a smoothing foam with the use of the foaming applicator.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the smoothing fluid has a pH of between about 1.2 and 2.0; a dry content of about 21.50 to about 25.50 percent; a density from about 1.090 to about 1.105 g/cc; and a glyoxylic acid assay value of from about 17.00 to about 18.50 percent.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein about 30 grams to about 50 grams of the smoothing fluid is applied to the hair.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises cleansing the hair a second time after the step of cleansing the hair a first time.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises separating the hair into sections before the step of applying a smoothing fluid to the hair.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of ironing the hair includes heating an iron to about 400° F. and passing the iron over the sections of hair.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising hydrating the hair.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising applying a color refresh treatment.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising and maintaining the hair; 